Monthly Archives: June 2023

Final Loss by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

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Final Loss by Kaitlyn Legaspi – a Review

 

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Description:
The Card Holder tournament is no more.

A year after the tragedy that befell the Queen of Hearts Domain, Neela finds herself living an alternate life of ease and happiness, a life where all her memories of pain, suffering, and loss didn’t exist.

After being thrust back into her cruel reality, Neela discovers the truth behind the harrowing events of the past year. Most importantly, she learns of her disturbing connection to the crimson-eyed rogue leader and assumes her role in a development far more momentous than the Card Holder tournament could ever be.

The pressure within Neela builds as she struggles to accept her position in a branched prophecy. Balancing the physical and mental burdens constantly assaulting her is seemingly impossible as the tragedies of the past continue to fill her heart with sinking trepidation.

One more devastating loss can either send her over the edge or strengthen her resolve in yet another grand inevitability.

 

Card Holders Series:

Red Blood #1
Two more Lives #2
Final Loss #3

 


Review:

Final Loss by Kaitlyn Legaspi is the third book in her Card Holders series. I’ve read and loved the two previous books, which you will need to read in order for this book to make any sense. But this one is my favourite in the series (although there are a few moments I didn’t like)!  I don’t want to give too much away, so excuse my vagueness in places.

Neela is living a peaceful life, a new name and life (you’ll find out why without me telling you ?) but it’s not long before she’s plunged back into her old life and battles!!

With this book we briefly retell books one and two (enough information without wasting pages). Secondary characters are still amazing and all are necessary for to the story.

Fast paced action, romance thrown in here and there, and don’t forget the friendships that Neela had acquired along the way, some of them old friends some of them are new ones, and sadly we’ve lost a few along the way, the author isn’t scared of killing a likeable character (or two) through these books.

Action/adventure: I’ll have to admit, the fight scenes in this book are amazing, I felt like swinging and ducking at odd moments during the battles, and it’s also a great learning curve for Neela (she’s not often beaten in a battle, and to have a beat down, brings her up, makes her reevaluate and encourages her to try harder.

YA? (Young Adult) Probably not, I’d probably lean towards a slightly older market, but that’s just me.

I was thrilled to read this one, as I was anxious to see how this would play out. I wasn’t disappointed, it’s filled with action and adventure. Loss and drama, but it’s also packed with magic, family and love. You also have your villains (who truly are bad guys)

So I’d advise you to read books one and two before this one. Then dive right in, it’s a beautiful written, and well thought out story. Great for readers who like action and adventure.

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for Review

 

 

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Seductive Sadist (Vengeful Villains 6) by Kristen Luciani-review tour

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Seductive Sadist (Vengeful Villains 6) by Kristen Luciani-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 15, 2023

She is the white dove to my gilded cage.

Skyla St. James, my ex-best friend’s sister and the girl I’ve been secretly obsessed with for the past four years. One hot night and one forbidden taste turned me into an addict in need of my next fix. But underworld rules trump emotion. And the family always reigns.

So I used her, manipulated her to do my will, and took her virginity in the process. Then I disappeared from her life…until the night before her wedding to my family’s enemy. I never wanted a wife. And she doesn’t deserve a ruthless killer for a husband. But life doesn’t ever go as planned. I should be a famous quarterback in the NFL, not a bratva enforcer. I wanted to escape this darkness forever, but my ex-best friend made sure that would never happen when he sabotaged me in the final play of our championship game. All the scouts scattered like cockroaches when an injury took me out of the game forever.

Now I’m bitter, angry, and back for revenge. Kidnapping Skyla before she marries my arch rival will give me back the control I lost four years ago on that football field. Except making her my captive isn’t enough to get me the respect and power I crave. I need to marry her. One simple “I do” I can save my family’s livelihood and win the war against our enemies. But I didn’t count on the others who want retribution for her father’s crimes. So now, my objective has changed. I need to keep my bride-to-be alive and protect her from everyone who wants her dead.

They won’t stop. They will find her. And when they do, they will find out just how vicious I am and how far I’ll go to protect my little dove. If they touch her, they will suffer and die.

Nobody will claim what’s mine.

••••••

REVIEW:SEDUCTIVE SADIST is the sixth instalment in Kristen Luciani’s contemporary, adult VENGEFUL VILLAINS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is Skyla St. James and Zakhar ‘Zak’ Malikov’s story line. SEDUCTIVE SADIST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise there WILL be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Zak and Skyla) SEDUCTIVE SADIST follows in the wake of the almost wedding for Skyla St James, and the man to whom she was sold. Years earlier, Skyla fell in love with her brother’s best friend Zak Malikov but one night together found Skyla on the receiving end of rejection and betrayal, and the fall-out would destroy Zak’s football career. Fast forward to present day, Zak now works as a soldier for his brother Luka, the new head of the Malikov crime family, a position Zak has never wanted, and had no desire to learn but when his leg was shattered ending any chance at a professional football career, Zak found himself struggling to get his life under control. With the upcoming arranged marriage of Skyla St. James to a member of a rival crime family, Zak is desperate to ‘kidnap’ the woman he still loves but a woman who despises our hero for sins of the past. On the run with the man that she hates, Skyla has been targeted as payment for a debt, and battles between head and heart distrusting the man who is saving her life. What ensues is the acrimonious and hate filled second chance relationship between Skyla and Zak, and the potential fall-out as Skyla’s attempts at escape only compound the threats of everyone involved.

The relationships between Skyla and Zak is one of second chances but Skyla’s hatred towards Zak is compounded by Zak’s hatred for the St. James family. Skyla’s twin brother, and Zak’s best friend Kylian destroyed any hope for Zak’s future in the NFL, and the list of sins between the two families continues to grow. Zak had only ever wanted to play football-leave the crime world behind but a moment of vengeance ended any and all hopes for Zak, his future and the woman he once loved. Skyla would never forgive Zak for destroying her heart; the ensuing humiliation; all of which landed her as fodder for the dangerous game her father was playing. Rekindling her relationship with Zak was next-level madness but Zak would be the only person able to save our heroine not only from herself but from the people desperate enough to try and take down an entire criminal enterprise. The $ex scenes are dark, dramatic, and intense, and not without some questionable scenarios and a perceived lack of consent. I struggled to see past the anger and vitriol between our story line couple- Skyla was always pushing the line between hatred and love, a line that crossed towards hatred most of the time.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters including Zak’s brothers Luca and his wife Natasha, Nikolai and Kenzie; their sister Valentina; Skyla’s sister Laney, brother Kylian, and their parents Amelia and Stuart St. James. The requisite evil has many faces including Nathan Van Dyne, and Skyla’s intended fiance Tyson.

SEDUCTIVE SADIST is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, mistrust and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is dark, gritty, raw and disturbing thus may be upsetting to some readers; the romance is negligible -the couple are always at one another’s throats; the characters are broken, desperate and determined.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Twisted Tyrant
Dirty Devil
Cruel Captor
Dark Deviant
Merciless Monster

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Website / GOODREADS / Facebook/ Twitter / Instagram/ YouTube / Bookbub/ Facebook Reader Group/

Kristen Luciani is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy and suspense-filled romance. She’s addicted to kickboxing, Starburst jelly beans, and swooning over dark, broken anti-heroes. Kristen is happily married to her own real-life hero of over 20 years. In addition to penning spicy stories, she also has a part-time job as her three kids’ personal Uber driver, which she manages to successfully juggle along with her other tasks: laundry, cleaning, laundry, cooking, laundry, and caring for her adorable Boston Terrier puppy.

Mafia romance is her passion…and her poison.

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RELEVANT REIGN (Royal Reflections 4) by Aleatha Romig -review tour

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RELEVANT REIGN (Royal Reflections 4) by Aleatha Romig

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 22, 2023

Molave’s survival is at stake. The monarchy is faced with betrayal that could end Molave and remove the kingdom from the map. With so much on the line…

What price is too high?
Will the Godfrey monarchy go on?

Don’t miss this dramatic conclusion of the Royal Reflections series as the bonds of family are tested and family itself is re-evaluated. The prince and princess must decide if Molave is worth the risk or if returning to America is in their future.

••••••

REVIEW: RELEVANT REIGN is the fourth and final instalment in Aleatha Romig’s contemporary, adult ROYAL REFLECTIONS romantic suspense series focusing on Princess Lucille, and the crown prince of Molave Roman Godfrey aka Oliver Honeywell. RELEVANT REIGN should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book three RAVISHING REIGN

Told from three first person perspectives (Lucille, Roman, Queen of Molave) using present day and memories from the past, RELEVANT REIGN picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book three RAVISHING REIGN in which a surprise announcement has the entire royal family struggling with the possibility of more than one potential heir. Throughout the series Crown Prince Roman Godfrey aka American actor Oliver Honeywell has rapidly assumed the mantle of heir to the Molave throne but secrets will reveal a heart breaking history of loss for the Godfrey family, and a betrayal at the heart of the family going forward. Princess Lucille is determined to prove to Roman he is worthy of her love but more so he is worthy of the future title as King of Molave. Secrets and lies are at the heart of the Godrey Royal family, and Roman and Lucille may pay the price for vengeance and greed.

Once again, RELEVANT REIGN, like the previous instalments focuses on power and control, secrets and lies, deceit, greed, family and love. Lucille and Roman have been targeted; the wannabe royals are determined to take down those in control but by doing so reveal the truth about madness, obsession, deception and duplicity.

All of the characters previously introduced throughout the series return including the former Prince’s mistress whose own dysfunctional family is questionable, at best.

RELEVANT REIGN is a powerful story of one family’s desperate attempts at maintaining power at the highest ruling seat but a family besieged with heart break and secrets, secrets that threaten their rule going forward. The premise is twisted and captivating; the romance is seductive and intimate; the characters are desperate, determined and dynamic.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Riled Reign .5
Ruthless Reign
Resilient Reign
Ravishing Reign

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

NEWSLETTER | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | GOODREADS
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST / TikTok

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.

Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America.  She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Sign up today to receive her monthly newsletter  and /or text message alerts stay informed.

And if you’re new to ALEATHA, check out her FREE books.

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VENGEANCE IN BLOOD (Sons of the Mafia 1) by Vi Carter & ER Whyte

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VENGEANCE IN BLOOD (Sons of the Mafia 1) by Vi Carter & ER Whyte-review tour

SINS OF THE MAFIA
(Sons of the Mafia .5)
by Vi Carter & ER Whyte
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia Romance

–> FREE prequel: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 21, 2023

Four mafia families who rule the underworld. A power struggle that leads to war. And a forbidden love that might set it all ablaze.
Damon
Valachi.
That was the name on my mother’s dying lips.
That one word would spark a war.
A war that I planned on winning.
I would go to the Valachi famiglia, and integrate myself into their world. I would learn their weaknesses and their secrets, and I would find out who was responsible for my mother’s execution.
Then I met Lorenzo Valachi’s daughter, Lulu.
She’s a queen in the making: strong, beautiful, and full of compassion. She’s also an innocent… and the only thing standing in my way.
Lulu lights a fire in me that threatens to burn hotter than my desire for revenge. I can’t have her, though–not if I want to avenge my mother.
So, I change my plans, just a little. I’ll have my vengeance, and Lulu, too.
Lulu
I’m trapped in a golden cage and men hold the key to my freedom.
My father controls his world with an iron fist. When he makes Damon, a made man, his right hand, a light is lit in my darkened world.
He makes me feel things I never thought would be possible.
The closer we get, though, the more I crave. Until one day, he cuts me off and leaves me in the cold.
Only this time I refuse to be silenced. This time I refuse to return to that dark cage.
Damon hasn’t just brought light into my world, but hope… and hope can be a very dangerous thing.

••••••••••

REVIEW: SINS OF THE MAFIA is the prequel novella in the contemporary, adult SONS OF THE MAFIA romance series co-authored by Vi Carter and ER Whyte.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Damon and Lulu) SINS OF THE MAFIA focuses on Damon’s need for revenge. Six years earlier Damon Papparado’s beloved mother was gunned down in a Mafia style hit, a drive by shooting, his mother would blame on the Valachi Crime Family. One year later, Damon finds himself the right-hand man to Don Lorenzo Valachi, a position that places our hero in the direct line to the top but all is not well within the Valachi family including a drunken matriarch, a spoiled sixteen year old princess, a son whose aspirations conflict with his father’s control , and their twenty-one year old daughter who quite possible could control them all. Another five years will pass, Don Lorenzo Valachi will die of presumed natural causes, and a now thirty-one year old Damon Papparado sees a chance to take revenge on the family that destroyed his life.

SINS OF THE MAFIA is an introductory novella that reveals a little bit of the history behind the need for revenge and a potential war between the Valachi-Papparado families. The premise is interesting but no conflict resolution, and no real anger or palpable tension; there is no romance only a stolen kiss or two; the characters are desperate and determined- the Valachi family thinks of themselves as above the rest but their dysfunctional family and attitudes is questionable at best. SINS OF THE MAFIA ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy

_____________

VENGEANCE IN BLOOD
Sons of the Mafia 1
by Vi Carter & ER Whyte
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia Romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 20, 2023

I married my enemy’s daughter.
If I can’t make him pay for his sins… she will.

Valachi, the name of a rival mafia family, was the last word on my mother’s dying lips.
After years of careful deceit and planning, my moment of revenge has finally arrived.
The head of the Valachi family has died, leaving his innocent daughter vulnerable.
She is forced to take my hand in an arranged marriage.
By the time she learns my true identity, it will be too late.
As her new husband, I will have complete control over her.
I am the enemy in her bed.
Her naive happily ever after will become a nightmare as I use her to seize power, and enact my final revenge.

••••••

REVIEW: VENGEANCE IN BLOOD is the first full-length instalment in the contemporary, adult SONS OF THE MAFIA dark, erotic, Mafia romance series co-authored by Vi Carter and ER Whyte. This is the continuing story of twenty-nine year old, Damon Papparado, and twenty-five year old, Luciana ‘Lulu’ Valachi. Damon and Lulu’s story begins five years earlier, in the prequel novella SINS OF THE MAFIA .

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives Damon and Lulu, VENGEANCE IN BLOOD follows in the aftermath of the death of Don Lorenzo Valachi, leaving a hole in the struggle for power. To Luciani ‘Lulu’ Valachi’s horror, our heroine will discover that her late father has ‘sold’ her as payment for a debt to several different arms of the Italian Mafia, and if she refuses, her younger sister is to pay the ultimate price. Enter Don Lorenzo Valachi’s right hand man, Damon Papparado, who offers his hand in marriage to secure the safety of the Valachi sisters but all is not as it appears to be, and Damon’s offer of marriage comes with a caveat meant to destroy the Valachi family for sins of the past. What ensues is the acrimonious relationship, and marriage of convenience between Damon and Lulu, and the potential fall-out when the truth reveals a staggering secret, a battle for control, and the fight for power.

Don Lorenzo Valachi died without a male heir, his son having disappeared six years earlier. Expecting but not wanting to inherit her father’s seat on the Commission, and control of the Valachi crime family, Lulu will quickly discover that her father’s debts will be paid with her life and the life of her younger sister. As the different branches of the Italian Mafia take aim at our story line couple, the reality of the situation proves to be much more dangerous and dark.

The relationship between Damon and Lulu is tempestuous at best. Damon offers his hand in marriage, seducing our heroine into believing she is loved but Lulu will quickly discover the hopelessness of her situation, and the control Damon not holds over her future and her life. Lulu has married a man determined to exact vengeance for sins of the past, vengeance that may be misdirected, evil and deadly. Lulu has lost everyone she has ever loved excerpt her sister Vivi, but Vivi’s life has been threatened, and Lulu is paying the ultimate price. The $ex scenes are aggressive and provocative.

There is a large ensemble cast of powerful and dangerous secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Lulu’s sister Vivi; Damon’s sister Evie and their brother Marcus, as well as several members of the Italian mob.The requisite evil has many faces.

VENGEANCE IN BLOOD is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, madness and murder, acceptance and love. The premise is dark, dramatic, and intense; the characters are powerful , desperate and determined; the romance is predicated upon obsession, vengeance and need. VENGEANCE IN BLOOD ends on a happily ever after-for now.

Click The Reading Cafe for Sandy’s review of the prequel SINS OF THE MAFIA.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

VI CARTER: When Vi Carter isn’t writing contemporary & dark romance books, that feature the mafia, are filled with suspense, and take you on a fast paced ride, you can find her reading her favorite authors, baking, taking photos or watching Netflix.

Married with two children, Vi divides her time between motherhood and all the other hats she wears as an Author.

She has declared herself a coffee & chocolate addict! Do not judge

AUTHOR LINKS

Newsletter and FREE book / Website / Facebook/Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Goodreads

ER WHYTE: E.R. Whyte is a multi-genre author, writing contemporary and new adult romance under E.R. Whyte, reverse harem romance under Evie Rae, and sweet romance under Elle Rae Whyte. Although it would no doubt make life easier to simply choose a genre, she loves romance in all its forms too much to ever do that.
 
She’s a simple girl at heart, living in a teeny-tiny Virginia town and spending her time finding herself, catering to various fur babies, and indulging her reading, writing, and photography habits. She loves being alone, bananas foster, and Pepsi.
 
Whyte worked as a high school English teacher for around a decade before she decided she really wanted more time to devote to her family and other fun stuff. Now she thinks up new ways to make tacos on Tuesday, explores the Marvel universe with childish enthusiasm, and spends entirely too much time on the computer.
Life is good.

AUTHOR LINKS: Facebook/ TikTok

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TRULY MADLY DEEPLY (Calamity Falls 12) by Erika Kelly-review tour

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TRULY MADLY DEEPLY (Calamity Falls 12) by Erika Kelly-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3Z0k0EB

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 15, 2023

What’s the worst thing that can happen to a single dad trying to avoid temptation? Crossing paths with the sexy runaway bride who’s looking to get as far away from her ex as possible.

When runaway bride Grace Giordano needs somewhere to regroup, groomsman Jaime Dupree offers her a guest house on his ranch. It’s no skin off his nose—she’s only in town a few days. Besides, between his daughter and his professional hockey team, he’s got his hands full. Surely, their paths won’t cross.

But when Grace gets the opportunity to run a food truck at the town’s annual music festival, she decides to stay all summer long. The singing baker’s a hit—at the festival and on the ranch.

Jaime might want to focus on his kid and his team, but the singing baker proves to be a mighty big distraction.

One he’s not sure he can resist.

•••••

REVIEW: TRULY MADLY DEEPLY is the twelfth instalment in Erika Kelly’s contemporary, adult CALAMITY FALLS erotic, romance series. This is twenty-eight year olds, NHL team owner/rancher/single father Jaime Dupree, and baker Grace Giordano’s story line. TRULY MADLY DEEPLY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but for backstory and cohesion I recommend reading books ten and eleven where the current story line arc begins. If you have not read any of the previous instalment there may be spoilers in my review.

SOME BACKGROUND: Several months earlier, upon the sudden death of former professional hockey player and team owner Kurt Grevers, Kurt bequeathed his NHL team to four friends: Declan, Cole, Booker and Jaime but Declan and Cole were still active players, and Booker wanted nothing to do with the NHL leaving Jaime Dupree as the lone hands on owner. Jaime continues to struggle with demons from the past, demons that left him battling grief and guilt in the wake of almost losing everything and more.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Grace and Jaime) TRULY MADLY DEEPLY follows in the aftermath of the almost wedding between Grace Giordano and her long term boyfriend/fiancé Ian. Desperate to escape a marriage to a man whose secrets are dark and expensive, Grace hitches a ride with one of the groomsmen, NHL team owner Jaime Dupree. In the hopes of managing her own life and future, Grace begins working in the small town of Calamity, Wyoming. A baker and pastry chef by trade, Grace is hoping to move out from under the shadow of her big, Italian family, and starting over in Calamity may be the perfect arrangement but Grace never expected to fall in love with Jaime Dupree and his six year old daughter Kinsley, a man who is struggling with demons of his own. A friendship destroyed by childhood fun rendered Jaime a shell of his former self, unable to move beyond the guilt he has burdened for years. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Grace and Jaime, and the potential fall-out as Grace’s love for Jaime isn’t strong enough to keep the demons at bay.

Jaime Dupree continues to struggle with the guilt and grief of loss, not the loss of life, but the loss of a friendship, of a career, and the guilt of destroying the life of someone he loved. A second chance at happiness finds Jaime falling for our story line heroine but even love cannot overcome the guilt of the past. Grace Giordano, along with all of her extended family, has worked in the family bread business for as long as she can remember but Grace is hoping for something more, and an opportunity presents itself in Calamity Wyoming, an opportunity that may end before it has a chance to grow.

The relationship between Grace and Jaime begins as a run away bride scenario. Jaime is in the right place to rescue our story line heroine, a woman who has been betrayed by the man she once loved. Falling for Jaime was never in the cards, a man who refuses to cross the line between friendship and love but a man who is unable to let go of the past. Jaime never expected to find love with our story line heroine but his demons continue to control every aspect of his life, pushing our heroine to reconsider her own future. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large cast of secondary and supporting characters including Grace’s ex Ian; Jaime’s precocious six year old daughter Kinsley, as well as both of Jaime and Grace’s extended families, families, Calamity Wyoming locals, all of whom are very supporting, loving and strong.

TRULY MADLY DEEPLY is a story of family, friendships, relationships, and love; grief and guilt; loss and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is emotional, heart breaking and engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are numerous, broken, captivating and energetic.

Previous Reviews

It Was Always You
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Come Away With Me
You’re Still The One
Anywhere With You
Love Me Like you Do

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Award-winning author Erika Kelly has been spinning romantic tales all her life–she just didn’t know it. Raised on the classics, she didn’t discover romantic fiction until later in life. From that moment on, she’s been devouring the genre and has found her true voice as an author. Over three decades she’s written poems, screenplays, plays, short stories, and all kinds of women’s fiction novels. Married to the love of her life and raising four children, she’s lived in two countries and seven states, but give her pen and paper, a stack of good books, and a steaming mug of vanilla chai latte and she can make her home anywhere.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter Signup ** Erika Kelly Goodreads

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Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N

 

Description:
Music from the busy dance floor echoes into the deserted room where the Prom Queen lies deadly still. A tiara rests on her soft blonde curls, but her face is frozen with fear, and her painted red lips are forever sealed shut in a silenced scream…

When Detective Amanda Steele’s niece, Ava, begs her to look for a missing schoolfriend, she immediately agrees to take on the case. Eighteen-year-old Reece left home three nights ago after fighting with her mother and hasn’t been seen since. But when the teenager’s body is discovered brutally murdered, poised dramatically at the prom venue, Amanda is devastated she didn’t save the girl in time.

Haunted by the scene, Amanda dives headfirst into the case. Chasing every lead, she is horrified when she discovers a potential key witness strangled in her own home. It soon becomes clear that the killer will stop at nothing to silence anyone who might reveal their identity. So when Ava mentions she saw someone acting strangely at the prom venue that night, Amanda’s heart stops.

And when Amanda’s worst nightmare comes true, and her beloved niece is taken, she knows that every second counts to uncover this twisted killer’s identity and bring Ava home safely. But can she crack the secrets of this killer’s deadly game before it’s too late?

 

 

Review:

Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold is the 8th book in her terrific Detective Amanda Steele series. I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Taken Girls was fantastic, with me unable to put the book down. 

Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department. Amanda’s niece, asks her to locate her best friend’s sister, who has been missing for 3 days. Though Amanda is a homicide detective, she agrees to look into this.  Eighteen-year-old Reece left home three nights ago after having a fight with her mother and hasn’t been seen since. Reece is the prom queen for the upcoming prom, leaving people stumped why she would runaway before the prom; her body is discovered at the venue, brutally murdered; with a tiara on her head, dressed in a gown, and her lips silenced.  Amanda takes control of the case, now that it is a homicide.

Steele and Trent (her partner) investigate a murder which is close to home,  becomes and a race against time to find the murderer before they kill again. Amanda’s niece, Ava, wants to become like her aunt, and decides to do her own investigation; which in time will lead the killer to target her.  When Ava goes missing, Amanda is urgently trying to identify the killer, as her and Trent are working without stop, as they are desperate to find the killer before Ava becomes a victim.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a mind-blowing thriller.  I always liked Amanda and Trent as they were great partners, though this case was very personal for Amanda. The last third of the book was fast-paced, intense, exciting thriller, with many twists along the way. To say too much more would be spoilers.

Taken Girls was another fantastic crime thriller that held our breath throughout.  Amanda is a great heroine, and a fantastic detective. was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author; as I am loving this series. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

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Possess Me (Corrupted Royals 5) by Michelle Heard-review tour

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Possess Me (Corrupted Royals 5) by Michelle Heard-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 15, 2023

I’m a monster.
I kidnapped the wrong girl, and under excruciating circumstances, we fell in love.
I took every beating and form of torture meant for her.
For months I protected Everleigh, only to lose her when we finally escaped.

It’s been years, and the ghost of Everleigh Adams still haunts me.
The nightmare of losing the only woman I’ll ever love has driven me to insanity.
And then I start to see her everywhere.
Her ghost has left my nightmares to taunt me in my waking life.

Turns out Everleigh never died, and she’s kept a secret from me.
When we come face-to-face after four years of pure hell and agony of living without her, she’s still out of my reach.
But if insanity has taught me one thing – there are no rules.
I’ll take what’s mine. There’s nowhere Everleigh can run to escape me.

•••••

REVIEW: Possess Me is book five in the Corrupted Royals series by Michelle Heard.

This book can be read as a stand alone book. Spoiler Alert Ahead!!!

Everleigh Adams is eighteen years old and travelling the world. This was a trip she was supposed to be on with her parents. Russia, Scotland then Hawaii. But her parents passed away almost a year ago so she decided to take the trip alone. While in Russia she makes a devastating decision and she swaps clothes with a beautiful, young woman at a nightclub. Thinking that she is doing this young woman a favor, she soon realizes that this decision can cost her everything, including her life.

As she was leaving the club she is kidnapped by Alek & Vincent Aslanhov. These men believe her to be the young Russian debutant, Svetlana Ivanov, and why wouldn’t they – she is wearing her clothes. While trying to explain to her kidnappers that she isn’t who they think she is, they are all in turn kidnapped themselves. Alek and Vincent have taken the wrong girl and are now in the clutches of the enemy. In what seems like an indescribable turn of events, Alek and Everleigh are forced together into a cell for several months. As time goes on Everleigh tells a lie to her captors that her and Alek are dating. In an attempt to save herself from certain death.
But that backfires on her and soon Alek is taking all of the physical, mental and emotional abuse that is meant for her. When they are finally rescued Alek’s father sees Everleigh as a liability and decides to get rid of her, for Aleks sake.

Alek’s world become pure agony, as he tries to navigate the world without the one woman he loves with him. He directs his anger at his father who thought he was doing Alek a favor by getting rid of Everleigh. Alek goes on to St. Monarchs to complete his training, while Everleigh moves to LA and raises her young son as a single mother. When Everleigh becomes friends with Rosalie Vetrov she has no idea her world in LA is about to be turned upside down.

After believing that Everleigh was killed by his father four years ago, Alek begins to think he is losing his mind when he starts to see Everleigh around LA. Little did he know when he walked into his bosses house that day that he would come face to face with the only woman he has ever loved. Thinking that Everleigh has been dead for the last four years and finding out that she was alive, was enough to send Alek off the deep end. But once he realizes that she is real and is still very much in love with him, and that he has a son – his entire world spins on its axis.

What an amazing ending to the Corrupted Royals series this was.

Rounding out everyone’s story – Alek’s is the final missing puzzle piece. And what an emotional journey it was. I absolutely loved everything about Alek and Everleigh’s characters. And the fact that they had a son that Alek knew nothing about until four years later was gut wrenching. Read this book in one sitting and what a delicious read it is.

I am sad to see this is the ending to the Corrupted Royals series but it has proven to me hat even if you don’t think you would enjoy a certain genre, you should give it a try at least. I never would of imagined falling in love with a mafia, bratva series the way that I have. Wonderfully written, but please heed the trigger warnings listed at the front of the book. Highly recommend!

 

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Destroy Me
Control Me
Brutalize Me
Restrain Me

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Erin K

 

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she’s always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

Want to be up to date with what’s happening in my world? Sign up to receive the latest news on her alpha hero releases, sales, and great giveaways →http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P

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The Escort by Kelly Gendron-review tour

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The Escort (A Different Kind of Escort Service 3) by Kelly Gendron-review tour

 

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June

Every journalist is looking for that big story.Mine is Lix Daxon.

The Daxon Brothers all have day jobs.At night, they’re escorts.But a different kind of escort.

They work with a local domestic abuse center.Like a thief in the night.They steal battered women from their abusers.

It’s not an easy job.And sometimes not legal.Still, they made an oath.Never leave a woman behind.

This is the Escort’s Story

•••••

REVIEW:THE ESCORT is the third (and final?) instalment in Kelly Gendron’s contemporary, adult A DIFFERENT KIND OF ESCORT SERVICE erotic, romantic, suspense series focusing on the Daxon brother. This is construction worker / MMA fighter Felix ‘Lix’ Daxon, and twenty-nine year old, reporter/journalist Chosen Ashley aka Luna Moon’s story line. THE ESCORT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including domestic abuse, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: After living a life witnessing the abuse of their mother Maria, Brett, Cole and Lix Daxon work for an organization that rescues women from abusive situations.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lix and Chosen) THE ESCORT follows two pathways, focusing on the search for the truth. Chosen Ashley is a journalist whose professional name is Luna Moon. Luna is desperate to talk to Felix Daxon but for reasons other than the rescue services the Daxon brothers provide. Felix’s brothers are worried about the real reason Luna Moon has contacted their youngest brother, and for good reason, as Luna’s intentions are personal and accusatory. Meanwhile, the Daxon brothers continue to find ways to get their mother released from jail but their mother Maria doesn’t want her sons involved hoping to hide the truth about what happened years before. What ensues is the building relationship between Chosen and Lix, as an ‘escorting’ assignment pulls Felix into the past.

Throughout the series, the Daxon brothers have been struggling with the reality of their mother’s incarceration for killing the man that had terrorized and abused their entire family but all was not as it appeared to be, and Felix will have to come to terms with what happened and why.

The relationship between Chosen and Lix begins acrimoniously. Chosen aka Luna is searching for information about a man who died years before, and the only link to the past is our story line hero. As Lix reveals the truth, another truth is about to send Lix into a spiral of his own. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and dynamic. We are reintroduced to Lix’s brothers Brett (Cassie), Cole (Harper), as well as their mother Maria, Office Selina Starr, several women in need of assistance; and Willa, the woman who runs the domestic abuse centre.

THE ESCORT is a story of secrets and lies, abuse and terror, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and intense; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and broken.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Reading Cafe
Her Escort

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Kelly’s motto ~ “Bad boys, give ’em a little time and experience, and they will evolve into misbehaving men!” And what hot-blooded woman doesn’t want a naughty, all grown up bad boy?

Kelly Gendron is the author of the TroubleMaker series, the up and coming series ~ Breaking the Declan Brothers, and a few other romantic suspense novels.

When she’s not writing steamy, blush producing romances, she’s out meeting new people while representing a group of reputable nursing facilities. You can find Kelly in a quiet suburb, somewhere between Buffalo and Niagara Falls. If you Google her, she’ll pop up there too. And, please do find her. Kelly loves to hear from her readers, and meeting new people.

Blog/ Twitter/ Pinterest/ Facebook/ Newsletter/ Instagram / Bookbub/ Amazon Author

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